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Rohit To Replace Shubman Gill? Probable Major Changes In India's Playing XI For 3rd ODI

Debashis Sarangi

India team in action vs England [Source: AP]India team in action vs England [Source: AP]

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On Sunday, India extended their dominance over England in the home series, defeating the tourists by four wickets in the second ODI at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Batting first, England posted a commanding total of 304 runs. However, India chased the target without breaking a sweat, as Rohit Sharma slammed a sensational century. 

However, moving on to the third ODI at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India might make some changes to their playing XI, having already bagged the series. 

Shubman Gill Out, Yashasvi Jaiswal In?

  • Young Indian batter Shubman Gill has been magnificent in the series, slamming two consecutive flamboyant fifties. Gill's phenomenal knocks in the first two matches ensured India's emphatic victory in Nagpur and Cuttack. 
  • As India have won the series, they might consider replacing Gill with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Notably, Jaiswal made his ODI debut in the first game in Nagpur, scoring 15 runs off 22 deliveries. However, as the swashbuckling southpaw has been selected as India's reserve opener, the hosts might decide to give him some game time before the Champions Trophy. 
  • With Rohit Sharma leading the side, it's highly likely that the Men in Blue might rest his opening partner Gill and allow Jaiswal to open the innings in the dead-rubber. 

Mohammed Shami Out, Arshdeep Singh In?

Innings
Wickets
Average
Strike Rate
225247.00
(Mohammed Shami's stats in ENG ODIs)

  • Veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been far from his best in the England ODIs. The right-arm seamer, who made his comeback following a long injury layoff, has scalped only two wickets at an average of 52 and a strike rate of 47. 
  • Furthermore, Shami's economy of 6.57 suggests that he hasn't been able to control the flow of runs in the ODI series. With Jasprit Bumrah being doubtful for the Champions Trophy, India expected better returns from Shami, who is expected to lead their attack in the tournament. 
  • In such a scenario, India might think to bench Shami and try out Arshdeep Singh in the final game of the series. Arshdeep has been an absolute champion in T20Is and can emerge as a prime wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy. 

Varun Chakravarthy Out, Kuldeep Yadav In?

Innings
Wickets
Average
Strike Rate
507427.9733.4

(Kuldeep Yadav's ODI stats since 1st January 2020)

  • Kuldeep Yadav has been India's wrecker-in-chief with the ball, scalping 74 wickets at a superb average of 27.97 since January 2020. 
  • Therefore, considering Kuldeep's outstanding numbers in the format, he should get the first priority as India's lead spinner in the Champions Trophy. 
  • However, India seem pretty much influenced by Varun Chakravarthy's recent exploits as a T20I bowler. This is the reason why they handed him his ODI debut days before the marquee event. 
  • But given that Kuldeep has the ability to bamboozle the batters with his variations, India might give it a second thought and bring him back for the third ODI. If they decide to get Kuldeep in, Chakravarthy, who bagged a single wicket in the penultimate affair, could make way for him.